THE CIVIL WAR DIARY OF JOHN G. MORRISON 1861-1865

ifled Whitworths which came through. I saw several
fragments of round shot which broke to pieces on our sides.
at 10.30 A.M. the whole fleet got under weigh and at 1
P.M. came to an anchor off "New Carthage,La." of the three
transports which started with us, only one lived to get
through (Silver Wave). Of the other two, one (Henry Clay)
was burned. The other (Forest Queen) was sunk. The Silver
Wave was manned and piloted by soldiers, her crew refusing
to take her down. About 2.30 P.M. the "Tuscumbia" and us
got under weigh and went down river. About five miles
below "New Carthage" we saw the remains of the "Indianola,"
her wheel houses being out of water. We went to quarters
and
[49] run our guns out as the "Tuscumbia" was busy shelling out a
querilla camp. We went down about a dozen miles, then
turned and came up again. Remained at quarters about one
hour but did not fire a shot. Arrived back about 7 P.M.
and tied up to the bank. We passed many fine plantations
through the day, amongst others that of Mrs. Porterfield,
the niece of Jeff Davis, her and her husband sitting at the
door as we passed. Several large plantations being under
water, the levee having crevassed.
April 18, Saturday. The town of "New Carthage" consists of
one house, a grist and saw mill, and cotton gin and has in
porsperous times a population of seven white souls besides
a couple of hundred niggers. The "Pittsburg" went down and
took the remaining eleven-inch gun of the "Indianola," the
others having been burst, and the rebels took her two nineinch
[guns] down to Grand Gulf. A working [party] went
ashore from all the boats and took the coals off a coal
barge and put them ashore. Two regiments arrived from
"Milliken's Bend."
April 19, Sunday. A working party was sent ashore to
finish unloading the coal. Divine service and muster at 10
1/2 A.M. Several regiments arrived during the day. Gen'l
Osterhaus paid us a visit. He is a tall man and looks
every inch a soldier. Wrote a letter to my wife and sent
it away by the army mail. The most of the crew received
short liberty today.
[50] April 20, Monday. The transport "Forest Queen" arrived
down this morning, badly shot through but not sunk as
reported. The "Tuscumbia," "Mound City," and Price went
down river to act as covering party to the troops, which
are now being sent down about ten miles.
April 21, Tuesday. All the soldiers left this morning.
Raining by starts all day. About 8 P.M. went ashore with
the captain. Went on board the "Benton" where all the
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